The changing role of Irish urban planning under a neoliberal agenda : evidence from Dublin

Abstract

This research is concerned with Irish urban planning; in particular, it investigates how the neoliberal consensus was adopted on the political agenda in the 1980s by infusing economic policy at the central state (national government) level. Moreover, by establishing the local government context for planning, this research explores the manner in which the neoliberal agenda has been thrust on local authorities and explores how urban planning has become a component of the entrepreneurial city, and how this new approach has challenged traditional planning in the common good. The role of An Bord Pleanala as an independent body will also be assessed and examined. The research problem is operationalised through the specifics of a case study; however, the study is limited to the four local authorities of Dublin.